DJA files case CNM over top court allegations

The Department of Judicial Administration and the Judicial Service Commission. PHOTO: MIHAARU FILES

Ahmed Aiham

16 May 2019, MVT 11:55

Department of Judicial Administration (DJA), on Wednesday, submitted a case against local media Channel News Maldives (CNM), for claiming that Supreme Court judges took bribes.

According to DJA's press release, the administration submitted the case due to an article published on CNM last week, which alleged that Supreme Court judges took bribes prior to the court's decision to uphold the Civil Court's sentence demanding the state to pay MVR 348 million to local firm Dheebaja Investments, in compensation for terminating a contract signed during 2010.

DJA denied CNM's claims, stating that the article included false accusations and was published to slander the reputation of the courts, further accusing CNM of contempt of court.

The circular revealed that DJA submitted the case to Maldives Police Service, Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Prosecutor General's Office.

Moreover, DJA stated that public records of the court proceedings were publicized on its website, including the grounds on which the apex court's decision was made.

Ministry of Economic Development had contracted Dheebaaja to provide ferry services in the Northern Province. The agreement was annulled in 2013, during the presidency of Mohamed Waheed.

Additionally , Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath was accused of corruption during certain cases concluded in his tenure as AG, where the state offered compensation for those mistreated by the former government.